Brandon Belt (.183) wasn’t in the lineup Monday night but he was plenty conspicuous. He came out early and spent considerable time taking early batting practice under the watchful eye of hitting coach Hensley Meulens, but also manager Bruce Bochy. That Bochy was there offering his thoughts is what may have made the session a bit more unusual than a normal early BP session.

And the manager’s assessment?

“His swing’s fine,” Bochy said. “He sometimes gets himself out probably having too much movement. I’ll leave it at that. When he quiets down, he’s fine. That’s the way he was in spring training, but he has a tendency to add some movement when he’s struggling and trying to get basehits. He needs to just get back to relaxing and letting his swing do the work instead of the body.”

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Added the manager, “When guys get out of sync, they get too much movement, particularly movement forward. When you’re not getting your hits, you try to go get the ball and that’s the worst thing you can do. He has had some hard luck to go with the 0-fers, so I think he’s just put some added pressure on himself.”

Belt appreciated the assistance from the manager

“When you’re struggling, it doesn’t matter where you get input,” Belt said. “Something someone else says clicks in your head. Everybody’s talking to me right now. That’s OK, as long as you make sure you listen to the people who know what they’re talking about.”

—

Eric Surkamp, still working his way back from Tommy John elbow surgery last year, is in San Francisco this week so the Giants’ staff can observe him throwing bullpen sessions. He’s thrown about a dozen since being cleared to do so in the middle of spring training.

Surkamp started throwing at 50 percent and says he’s now at 75 percent. He believes in less than two weeks, he’ll be throwing at 100 percent in his bullpen sessions, although he’s only throwing fastball/changeup at this point. After throwing six bullpens at 100 percent, he’ll then move on to facing live hitters in BP a few times, followed by an extended spring training game.

“It’s starting to get close,” he said. “I’m getting a little excited. But I’m also taking it step by step and not try to get ahead of myself or anything. It’s the one thing a lot of guys have told me, that I’m going to start feeling good but don’t push it.”

Surkamp had TJ surgery last July 24, so he appears to be on solid track to make it back after a year’s rehab, possibly less. He said he hopes to clean up some of his mechanics as he works his way back to avoid future elbow issues.

—
Tonight will mark the first time Cody Ross has actually played at AT&T Park since 2011. He spent last season in the American League. Bochy said it won’t be that strange seeing him in a Diamondbacks uniform tonight, but it will be curious to see how the fans to react to one of their former favorites.

Carl Steward

Post navigation

Good man mentions a one time good Giant Cody Ross… now let’s hope he’ll still chase the slider low and away and the fastball high above his hands!

Bapah

I’m on Lefty’s team.

Footy, I like what you write and your suggestions on changing the world and baseball, I enjoy the facts you dig up. But, Once you’ve made your point, is it really necessary to keep battering and pounding the point further home? Some things are better emphasized with restraint.

I’m so tired of the discussion about Belt, I want to vomit.

stickman

Is 4-20 over yet? Maybe Timmy has some leftovers he could share with BB9. Word on the street is that certain strains can be quite ameliorative in jilting the jitters and obscuring the overthinking. Definitely good for a bit of relaxation as well.

stickman

Sorry Bapah. Hope it cleans up easily. Looks like we conjointly hit this time-slot. At least i didn’t cite the”B” word specifically. So suck it up like a good trooper and bear in mind that there is no such thing as pure coincidence.

Atlas

————-
And the manager’s assessment?

“His swing’s fine,” Bochy said.
————-

kyle Perizi

This just in: Wade Miley has game.

Richard in Winnipeg

The important stuff.
Go Giants, go Vogey!
I like to keep it basic.
I leave the intelligensia of baseball to the baseball experts.
Oh yeah, the people that actually get paid for a living in baseball.
Me I’m a tax guy.
Any tax questions?
I’m particularly good on off shore trusts.
I also was a money manager for Jersey trusts.
Thats Jersey / Guersey off the south west coast of England.
Tax exempt off shore investment management services.
What has this to dowith baseball?

Nothing, but I talk about something I know.
Everything else is a half assed opinion.

bradley emden

Zak it sounds as if you are describing Aaron Rowand, more than Cody Ross.

The Oracle

Even as a major Belt fan, I’m not bothered by him sitting again. I think Bochy’s just trying to clear his head. Bochy’s assessment of Belt’s early struggles makes sense; Belt seems to be almost constantly out on his front foot and off balance lately. Hopefully, he’ll back in there tomorrow.

How disappointed is Goldschmidt that Lincecum isn’t pitching this series?

bradley emden

Mitt Romney is apparently in here tonight.

bradley emden

The over under for homeruns hit by Goldschmidt in this series is 3.

JD4SF

The message I got from Bochy’s assessment was the mental side of baseball has been impacting Belt’s swing *during games.* Not a consistent physical glitch to adjust, but one that changes his swing under mental pressure. I’m not surprised to hear this.

This “mental negatively impacting the game” is something every MLB batter needs to learn, learn to resist, and learn to recover from. Belt is listening, so I’m confident we’ll start to see improvement soon … and that improvement will help Belt be a more consistent contributor at the plate going forward.

Cain vs Ross tommorrow….. does Cainer buzz The Boss for the 2010 bat flip or is all forgiven?

I say you buzz him….

Lefty

Back from the Brazilian steakhouse. Holy cow. Pun intended. I’ve haven’t seen that much meat since my days as an exotic dancer.

However, I’m in South Carolina, not Chicago or New York or Argentina or Brazil. I’m thinking I might have been better off with Southern barbecue. Last night I had shrimp and grits. I don’t understand grits.

But the USC people have been very hospitable, the weather and the campus are lovely, and I’ve had a good time. Glad to be heading home tomorrow in time to watch the Giants and my Dubs.

Go Vogey! Sorry I couldn’t get any Rally Enchiladas for you, buddy. Wonder how the Mexican food is here.

Anti-Lasorda

Lefty was a private dancer?…..

I need the video…. 😉

Richard in Winnipeg

channelclemente says:
April 22nd, 2013 at 6:59 pm 15..

CC;
Frankly as a Canadian, I found it culturally distasteful to manage funds for Piggy Republicans.
If forced too, I typically suggested they put their money under their mattress’s.

Luckily for those Republicans, they are also NRA membersvand hace thier AR-15s to fend off any unwanted stash admirers….

See, if Richard would have just told them 4o stick it in the bank, those Republicans wouldn’t need they concealed LAWS rockets to protect there childrens over priced private school educational trust funds in their DUX mattress

Richard in Winnipeg

Many people find it necessary to sell themselves to get a college degree.
No matter how distasteful.
I wanted to be a private dancer.
I was told, I would be better shovelling snow.
Man that was awful.
I felt cheap and seedy.
The worst was, I had to shovel snow in the winter.
What’s with that?

channelclemente

Lefty,

did you ever own Merlin’s Merkin? I had a friend who worked her way through undergraduate school in Austin with a magic merkin.

Not Spartacus

Wasn’t Eric Sir Kamp one of the knights in Monty Python and the Holy Grail?

Sam

Overheard Krukow talking to Belt before the game. He told him, ” Grab some Pine Meat.”

Anti-Lasorda

Lefty,

You mean it’s not

Synnamon?

I thought all strippers were named Cinnamon or some derative there of…… 😉

Wow a baseball loving dancer with a PhD…. Mr Lefty doesn’t know how good he has it

The Tourist

Oh look, the all-powerful, surefire 2014 WS champs Washington Nationals lost again and are 10-9 in the season.

Mike Souza

TT,
Well played, well played indeed. 😉

The Tourist

Jesus Christ, you guys are creepy…

Bapah

Oh, oh, oh, I’ve got it!

SEQUESTRATION

All comments regarding Belt will be sequestered for 45 days then published here as a single thread.

Lefty

I had to put myself through grad school somehow. USC is an expensive school.

Worked at a gentleman’s sports bar in LA, and the talent was called the “Gamer Babes.” Mike Krukow was a regular when the Giants were in town playing the Dodgers.

Tourist: Grits–I know right? I guess a lot of people love them. People kept telling me I couldn’t possibly leave South Carolina without trying shrimp and grits. Well, I tried them, and I guess I lived to tell.

The Tourist

Time to get mad as hell, Vogey.

livefree

12 pitches in, I’d like to see at one pitch up and in to someone. They seem to be looking away, understandably

kyle Perizi

If Mitt’s eldest son, Tagg is in the house , there could be trouble, that kid has anger issues.

ClutchUp

Bapah@601pm on the other side, last paragraph:
Amen
Amen
Amen
A…..men

8)

livefree

uh oh …. an ex Giant

The Tourist

@livefree

You got your wish. Montero whiff.

livefree

or …. just keep pitching away where they’re looking … either way

Foothills Ryan

Thanks for the Surkamp update, Carl.

—

Man, Vogelsong needs to limit the damage, settle in, find the arm slot and keep his team in the game.

They’ll get to Miley. Just got to get out of first alive.

Richard in Winnipeg

Wow.
It was awful.
Going to peoples houses with wet woollen mitts.
My shoes, parents could not afford snow boots for me,
Shovelling, their expensive snow, off their gold lined driveways.
I tell you, shovelling snow to get a degree is awful.
Cheap clients paid me with bannock and side bacon.
I wa emotionally scarred.
At least , every spring I was renewed by baseball , and my beloved Giants

The Oracle

A left handed first baseman might have helped turn that DP.

danielb

Bochy is an idiot. Without a big contribution from Belt, the Giants don’t win. Benching Belt for 2 straight games is no way to get there. I hate this.

The Tourist

Here we go. Team gets behind and they come out.

stickman

Vogie does a bogie in the first and the Giants need to play ketchup ball. Ouch.

@hankschulman: Doesn’t matter if ump blew call or not. Pagan argues more balls/strikes than anyone. One day he’s going to get run when #sfgiants need him.
—
Pagan was already complaining on several pitches in his first AB

2holehitting

3 things

Has BamBam ever really helped a ggiant hitter? Not one seems to have really gotten better with him.

Dr. Phil is a hack a glorified limelighter you don’t want messin with anybodies head

Belt, needs to go to LA for a week and hang out at Heffs grotto where his bat and balls can hit some holes. That will get his mind settled

The Tourist

MVPablo

Reaper

Looks like Buster’s sign of life yesterday is a sign of things to come.

Ross does not cover too much ground out there.

The Tourist

That Posey swing is a thing of beauty. Wow.

Reaper

2Hole, I don’t think big league hitting coaches play a prominent role. If a hitter is going to get out of a slump, it’s going to be the hitter that does it. By studying film, taking reps in the cage, etc. I always thought it was asinine when they rode Carney Lans out of town because the team wasn’t hitting. The team wasn’t hitting because the team wasn’t a great hitting team at the time.

livefree

A high drive into triples alley that isn’t caught with Ross cheating that way? What a bomb.

By the way, snuck over to catch the Arizona TV frat boys, but they’ve been replaced. Babbling Bob Brenly is back, sounds like.

The Tourist

Strike zone is larger than Panda’s paunch.

BTW, Sandoval was batting .550 with a 1.400 OPS with RISP coming into this game. Damn.

stickman

“Double your pleasure, double your fun” double those doublers in one after one.

Matthew

Sam, hank is right, bit so was Pagan on that at bat..strike 1 and strike 3 were not strikes.

ClutchUp

Footy: Just admit it. Two of our better regulars worked you over pretty good regardless of your replies, retorts or explanations. Take it like a good soldier and stop “opening up and removing all doubt”.

Mike Souza: I love ya, but my forecast was only that the Coaching Staff and GM haven’t wavered not one second on BB9. The FO stays out of field manuevers. Sitting Belt down for 2-4 games is part of their overall belief and faith in their young first sacker. I wasn’t wrong but I’m only commenting on what is so clear for all to see not just me.

Sitting him has zero to do with their immediate or long range faith in him, but I’m sure you knew that reading Dgg, Bapah and Leftys posts.

This is a well planned plan to get someone who has only gained back four pounds from his virus bout. Josh Reddick was hitting .113 yesterday and he hasn’t been ill. Matt Kemp was sitting for a few days.

Its about getting ones confience and timing back.

He’s gonna be fine. The front of the jersey team is winning with only Pagan and Panda hitting.

Like you always say Mike: Go Giants!

Sam

Matt,

Yes the strike zone is rather large.

locomotive breath

That first inning is the toughest for a pitcher. Well, that and the last inning he pitches in. So much to get through and figure out. He’s got to work through the adrenaline. He’s got to find his arm slot. He’s got to get a feel of his pitches. Oh, and there’s a batter waiting for a mistake in the box. Good luck and good to be out of the first.

I fully expect the rest of this game to go the pitchers’ way.

All aboard for a tight ballgame!! I love it !!

Reaper

Damn it, Posey! Watching him catch is not easy.

Peter

There was a perfect example of the little things Posey still has to learn.

Matthew

boy, I cringe every time I see stuff like that happen to Buster.

Any idea why he doesn’t have one of those goalie-hanger things to protect his throat? Vogey did that to him last year, too…

FunWithNumbers

If Bochy was any kind of a manager, he’d only play Belt when he was going to get hits. He’d be 11-29 if he played him only on the right days.

Before you say this is ridiculous, read the wrong half of the posts on this board and it will sound completely reasonable!

Richard in Winnipeg

Peter

How do you learn to catch a ball above your chest protector and your mask?

Richard in Winnipeg

above and between

The Tourist

20 second strike out? This guy just quick-pitches everyone.

The Tourist

Richard: You tuck your chin in so the ball hits the mask and not the throat.

There’s nothing to see here. Just observations. That’s what we do. Observe, comment, speculate. And try to have fun with topics that can turn mundane.

Are you having fun and enjoying the game? This is a great series! These are the two top teams in the West So get off your high-horse and enjoy the game!

8)

Foothills Ryan

I guess that’s fun with #’s, fwn, but maybe work on your wording to make it more fun

Sam

The Bonds 756 on the brick walls have been removed… for now

Peter

#71 Richard…..

You keep your head down on any ball in the dirt. The ball won’t find your throat if you do that. That’s kinda basic stuff to know…….tough to do every single time in practice, but with enough reps it gets done.

The Tourist

@Sam

It got stolen, they’re already getting another one made.

Sam

TT,

Scott Ostler doesn’t think it was stolen:

Hard to imagine a fan or fans making off with the shield. It’s about six feet high, and has to be pretty heavy. First they’d have to pry it off the wall, possibly using a ladder to reach it. Then they’d have to sneak it out of the ballpark. Good trick.
As the cops say on TV, looks like an inside job.

Richard in Winnipeg

Heh Peter, Heh Tourist:

Thanks guys.

Just checking to make sure.

I was a southpaw pitcher.

I had the same catcher from little league , age 9 and 10 through junior ball age 19.

I never nailed him throat high.

I nailed him a lot ,low and inside.

Still surprised to this day, he was mt ” Best man”.

Thanks guys.

pacman68

Love the way Volgie is fighting out there.

Richard in Winnipeg

my

ClutchUp

@FunWithNumbers!!

😀
😛
8)

POST OF THE DAY. BRAVO!

Matthew

Richard, they are making it sound more basic than it is… As a catcher, you are certainly reading how low and far in front those pitches are, and you don’t tuck your chin automatically on every one. The bounces that have gotten him have been extremely touch bounces off the edge of the plate. His technique is 99% solid, and s#%t happens. They are correct, but it isn’t just some automatic technique that keeps catchers from getting tagged on bad bounces

The Tourist

@Sam

Larry Baer said so earlier today on KNBR, but then again I also have no idea how someone would be able to steal that. Don’t think it would be a fan though.

Also don’t think they would be stupid enough to just get rid of it and think nobody would notice. If they really wanted to remove Bonds’ legacy from the yard, they’d do it with some PR-speak to cover it up.

Matthew

Does anyone know if Chavez is the AZ plan for the starter at third base? Is so,wine on the bench or hurt?

I can’t see him being much of a threat at this point. Maybe in spurts… But everyday??

ClutchUp

Tough answering a question with a question Foot. I got here late from a 5-3 win so I read what they wrote to you via the incessant prolification of all things neg towards BB9 in 2012 going to the Bus, and all things “the Giants are dead” in 2012. I just thought it better that I remond you of your track record predictions than have you wait for SurfCity to bring it to your attention.

You’ve had Smoak, Corey Hart and Morneau all playing for our team @ 1b and you know that their starter is BB9.

Reminding you, it wasn’t me that brought it to your attention but Rather Southpaw Proff, Bapah, Matthew and in some fashion FunWithNumbers. 8)

Sam

TT,

Thanks. I wasn’t aware of the Larry Baer comments.

Sam

I think Prado is the plan for 3rd base but they have a couple of OF hurt.

Reaper

Yeah Im not inclined to “blame” Posey for getting hit in the throat. It’s more about the fact that he continues to take a beating back there. Even the most technically sound catchers take a beating. Look at Matheny. There is nothing you can do about getting fouls to the mask. The bottom line is that the position will take its toll on him at some point in time.

Matthew

Gotcha, Sam… That makes more sense.

livefree

Pitchers numbers look similar, but Miley is lucky so far, including with the ump’s calls, and Vogie is getting dribblers.

Sam

Adam Eaton and Jason Kubel are out from ARZ outfield

ClutchUp

Matthew: Good Points! Our HS catcher wears the Hockey mask in games. The beviled point of the Hockey mask simulates the dangled piece on the old variety
.

In practice he wears the two piece.

He’s had his adams apple area plunked with both types. Perfect technique asise one can’t dodge every freakish oddity. I used to tuck my chin but one can’t avoid dumb arse luck.

Our catcher also has his lower extremeties protected but he had one come UP and UNDER the other day and it wasn’t a pretty site.

Sam

That’s 3 homers to pitchers in 3 weeks

kyle Perizi

This Miley has more talent than that other Miley.

Reaper

Dude, that is frickin embarassing.

No excuse for that. That’s worth two homers in Miller Park.

The Tourist

Is that the 3rd HR allowed to a pitcher?

livefree

Well, that batting practice pitch wasnt dribbled. Sheesh

livefree

Not just the pitchers, but assorted 8 hitters, too. Weird mental problem

pacman68

The Tourist

I was about to say the same thing. That was his first hit in 36 at bats. COME ON MAN!!

Peter

#83 Matthew “you don’t tuck your chin automatically on every one. ”

You do with enough reps – we’ll have to disagree if you think otherwise. Observe that the pitch was a pretty standard curve in the dirt, what you saw was Posey recognize the ball was going to be short, and since he called the pitch he knew what to expect from it, he immediately got into a good position to block it, but he failed to tuck that chin. The little things, as was stated.

A catcher is going to take enough of a beating with foul tips and such, no need to add to the beating by leaving your throat exposed. And, FTR, no one is “blaming” Posey, it was a simple observation of the little things he has yet mastered.

Mike Souza

Another HR given up to our opponent’s pitcher. No bueno!
That feels like a bigger kick in the gut more than a home run by a position player.

Peter

#97 Tourist,

Wasn’t that an issue all last year too? I seem to recall a lot of pitchers going deep on ‘us’ in 2012.

Sam

This must be how teams fell when Belt homers on them.

Sam

*feel

The Tourist

Peter, you’re right, but I think it wasn’t just HRs, it was hits and pitcher RBIs too.

Peter

Giants finally pitching Goldschmidt high and tight. Like it.

Mike Souza

Before I forget, that Torres strikeout was by far the worst strikeout (besides any slider SO’s by Rowand) I can remember seeing.

livefree

About time Goldschmidt was hit

Matthew

Sam, that was pretty funny in a Steven Wright kind of way…

ClutchUp

No horses to mount Footy, just commenting on your propensity, like Bapah uttered for pounding home points about Belt that have zero merit.

He’s their firstbaseman, not Corey Hart, Morneau, Smoak or some AAA star from another organization.

Vogey and others should wear some fodder for inconsistencies.

Nice to hear your arm is fine and your ran the lactic acid out of your system.

livefree

So Montero just uppercuts everything? Why does he ever see a pitch below the waist?

Clutch Up,
Your declaration that Belt is their guy is worse than anything else. Foothills has said. If he continues struggling for another month he will be out of the starting lineup permanently.

livefree

Justice is served on the balk

Sam

Any chance of a squeeze?

livefree

An automatic squueze sit …..never mind

livefree

Good stuff Tourist … but doesnt that show a lot of red below the belt? Gotta work him inside if you pitch low

livefree

One of those situations where you wonder: what was the downside of a squeeze attempt, really? If you don’t squeeze, you probably aren’t going to score. Clearly, Bochy never thinks that way, but the stats seem to be against him in this case.

Peter

#122 livefree,

Yeah…that’s a Bochy thing – doesn’t like to run into, or give away outs. Maybe he’s saving the squeeze play for the WS, since playoff Bochy >>>> regular season Bochy.

Mike Souza

How the GIANTS with all of the money they rake in go into a season with a platoon at any position is beyond me.

Peter

Good pitch……Chavez just beat him on that one.

Foothills Ryan

Wow! Nice add by the DBacks. Chavee has still got it!

livefree

Peter .. Bochy gives away outs all the time …. just not when they will score a run

livefree

Low pitch to a lefty … even a guy who probably should retire … drilled.

Reaper

Tired of Krukow making excuses for Vogey. I could listen to the Dbags broadcast and hear Brenley talk about how gritty Gibson helped Chavez hit that out. He’s throwing BP out there.

The Tourist

Making good pitches, not getting the calls Miley is getting. Bad luck tonight for Vogey.

Peter

#128 livefree

Not in my estimation. I rarely see Bochy call for a bunt over, for instance. What situations are you seeing?

livefree

Giants lead the league in sac bunts (14)

Mike Souza

Vogey has thrown many fat pitches this year. Fastball lacks movement so he has to be dialed in with his location.
And yes, Krukow’s act gets tired at times no doubt, but at least he doesn’t look like KFC’s Colonel Sanders. Oh wait….

Reaper

#131 haha. not as if he is turk wendell or anything.

Foothills Ryan

Clutch,

Thank you for these comments:

“Vogey and others should wear some fodder for inconsistencies.”

“Nice to hear your arm is fine and your ran the lactic acid out of your system.”

That’s our job on the blog. To tailor suits of fodder. But it really is like you say:

Everything will be fine. Everything evens out. Regression to the mean. Progression to the mean. Baseball players know how to win ballgames. Wins is the most important statistic. Titles are not won in April.

And I think my arm will be fine too. I was concerned. But it feels better today than it did before throwing six last night. Thank you for that comment

The channel is on The Voice right now. Back and forth a little. What’s the score? Does it even matter?

kyle Perizi

Is Miley on the Moo-Juice ?

MK-1

That was just a piss poor over-aggressive AB by Sandoval

Peter

#134 OK.

Thirteen of those are by pitchers…… one by Scutaro, which he almost certainly did on his own. I wouldn’t call that giving away outs, but I understand your point, i.e. if he’s willing to have the pitcher bunt, then why not with the tying run at third.

livefree

AZ’s night so far … all the breaks, with some help from the good guys

Foothills Ryan

Ross is Boss !!!

TooFunny

Ok, pipe down #121 Runn… You don’t have the nads to face Vogey at the plate much less say that to his face. Congratulations on your ability to type by the way, it exceeds your ability to think. Jerk.

The Tourist

That strike zone looks HUGE when Miley is pitching. Sheesh.

Reaper

Wow, are the strike zones really that uneven? Would Vogey have gotten that low strike to Pence?

Matthew

What the f#%k is up with Doug Eddings tonight?!

Matthew

Exactly right, Reaper..uneven for some unknown reason.. I don’t get it…

livefree

I think it’s giving away an out, because many times, if not every time, there’s a base stealer at first. If the pitcher is going to make the second out, might as well steal the bag or get thrown out trying … worst case is leadoff guy is up next inning. If the pitcher is making the first out, you have a guy at third with one out.

I just think the GIants aren’t making the most of their speed. I’d like to see more pressure put on the defense to make plays … especially this bunch.

The only time it’s acceptable to bunt when there isn’t a pitcher hitting is when your manager is Felipe Alou and your third best hitter is Deivi Cruz.

pacman68

Mike Souza.

inexcusable for the Giants to start a season without a left fielder.

The Tourist

OK, this is getting ridiculous…

The Tourist

The Miley-Eddings team is carving up the Giants.

Matthew

Wow…he started bad… And he’s getting way worse? Man… How do these guys keep their job? Thanks Bud. Thanks, Torre

Peter

Quiroz wants that backup job.

ClutchUp

Mileys got the perfect plate umpire for his pitches….

Bringing in the KnuckleDragger!

Matthew

Well, I would be a bit more puritanical in my choice of invectives, but I actually agree with Runnitt….

pacman68

Who the hell was that guy who just singled??

Matthew

3rd string catcher, Pacman….

pacman68

Matthew …

I know, I’m just making a funny. The guy has been invisible until now.

Reaper

Quiroz>Sanchez.

No but really, Quiroz’s minor league numbers aren’t terrible, he’s got a little pop. If he can field better than Hector (which isn’t a stretch by any means) then he should have a shot at #2.

pacman68

Machi looks like he is on the Pablo diet.

Foothills Ryan

Is that a Q sighting?

Niiice!

pacman68

My wife has a question for you guys?

Do they test for weed in baseball?

Reaper

Jesus, was Machi throwing mid 90’s in his previous stint? I seem to remember him hovering around 90-92. CSN had him throwing 94-95 with movement last inning.

Matthew

Sorry, PAC…shoulda known you have deep knowledge, Brother!

Feels like one of those nights so far… Can we get a Scheirholtz walk off win???

Mike Souza

Quiroz singlrd, but he still serves no.purlose being on the roster as a 3rd catcher. I just don’t get it. Has Bochy ever given an explanation as to the reasoning behind having a third catcher?

Mike Souza

Look at my spelling and other errors. ^^^^^^ HaHa. Sorry, I was typing in a hurry. 😉

Reaper

#161. I know the Astros top minor leaguer Jonathan SIngleton tested postiive for a banned substance and got 50 games. The substance was marijuana.

pacman68

My wife after Pablo hit.

You think he will make it to the base on time cause he’s so fat?

Reaper

Bochy gives unsatisfactory reason for having a third catcher. Maybe it’s a sign he hates Belt. But I do not believe in the potential of Hector Sanchez as much as most here probably due.

posey!!!!

Matthew

Epic… Love this kid

The Tourist

Gerald goes BOOM!

Peter

Bondsian AB there.

pacman68

POSEY!!!

Matthew

Mike… Lay off the sauce!!!

No worries, I did that all weekend… The mind is quicker than the fingers

Mike Souza

Posey!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sam

3-0 count to Pence and he rolls over to 3rd.
SMH

pacman68

No excuses for swinging on 3-0 pitch. Come on underpants.

ClutchUp

Mike S: Worse than anything else”

Really? He has beckoned Corey Hart, Smoak and Morneau to play first base. Myself, Bapah, Pacman and Lefty ALL agree that Belt is their more so than not firstbaseman of the present. People said the same thing last year and Belt played 99 prcent of the post season.

Maybe tou also disagree with Bapah and Lefty because they too say Belt is the Giants firstbaseman of the right now.

Mike Souza

Matthew,
No sauce… just a needy 10 month old. 😉

Matthew

Sam is channeling his inner-MLBSF

Matthew

Is Lopez in the doghouse??

Mike Souza

Belt is the 1st baseman of right now? No Arias is. 😉
I hope Belt turns it around, but I don’t think the GIANTS are as confident in him as you seem to think they are. That is my point.

ClutchUp

Agree with Sam, Bochy gives ya the 3-0 green light you should “do more” with that pitch or go 3-1 and see something else.

Pence + Doug Eddings = The Yips!

Mike Souza

Matthew,
That was funny. HaHa

Sam

Mijares is the new Lopez

Matthew

Eddings gave us one back… He’s now 13-1 DBacks on his calls!

ClutchUp

I’m at work, have the seaguls started hovering?

The Tourist

Would’ve been a strikeout had Miley been pitching instead of Mijares. Just sayin’.

The Tourist

No seagulls yet, CU.

Sam

Righty’s are now 6-9 against Mijares. Bringing in Romo a batter too late Bochy

Matthew

Gee, Sam, way to tee one up for Runnitt

ClutchUp

Romo and Hinskie ……

Reaper

Wait what? I looked up and Romo and Belt were in the game.

Matthew

Clutch, we might get a Belt walk off tonight… Let’s DO this!!!

The Tourist

Matthew, wouldn’t that be something?

Mike Souza

If Torres gets on the GIANTS win…lets go Andres!!

pacman68

A Belt walk off would be justice.

Mike Souza

Atta boy!

Sam

Does A Belt walk off include him walking off the batters box after a third strike?

The Tourist

Andres, you’ll always be Giant.

Slide Dog

Torres, is a bless.

Mike Souza

Belt walkoff would be awesome pac!

ClutchUp

“Of the right now” = the present season. Last season and the next several seasons….

Only time will tell Miguel!

pacman68

Nice Torres. Now don’t get picked off.

Just wondering

Thats the bunt that would look better after a steal

Slide Dog

Bochys giving the big guy his chance right here!

Reaper

Bochy looks nervous watching Belt.

pacman68

And here it is folks. What you all have been waiting for.

THE BELT WALKOFF IS ABOUT TO HAPPEN.

The Tourist

Belt already quieted his body in the box. No lean, no trepidation.

Peter

Just like it was scripted – Belt walk-off.

Mike Souza

Way to go BB9!!!!!!!!

Matthew

YESSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!

Reaper

ENough said!!! Goodnight.

Atlas

Ultimately, Belt’s best swing of the season?

Go Belt!

ClutchUp

Heh
Heh
Heh

Atta boy Sam!

Slide Dog

Holy crow!!!!!!!

Sam

OMG.

The Tourist

Ladies and gentleman, BRANDON BELT!

Peter

Takes all 25 guys……..

Just wondering

Bochy ‘s bunt wins …. and I would have walked Hinkse … Im an idiot

Atlas

Bochy and Bam Bam approve… 😉

Matthew

Clutch, I am going to hereby toot my HORN.. Called it at 9:45

pacman68

Baseball is a very strange game.

The Tourist

Baseball Gods do it again. Wow.

anotherabidgfan

Crow for some, a walk off for our beloved first bagger.

Mike Souza

If you aren’t happy for that young man something is seriously wrong with you!

Sam

Nice exciting game. Glad for Belt.

Bapah

Yes, they need to take him out against lefties.

Michael

Sweet!!!

kyle Perizi

Worth staying up for. Great win against a tough lefty.

SurfCity

Alright Belt!

I told you he’d be fine

The Tourist

Like Jon Miller often says, reality is stranger than fiction.

Atta boy, Belt!

Michael

I was just telling the parakeet that Belt would win it..

Mike Souza

Belt’s joyful smile was priceless. Gotta love this game!

Gray Whale

BB NINE!!!!

Nontechnical

Now THAT was fun!
Belt!!!
Buster!!!
Everyone!!!

Matthew

SOMEBODY WAKE LEFTY UP!!!!!!!!

LEFTY!!!!

ClutchUp

Bapah! LOL, most of your quips go flying over the top of many…

Bapah

Matt, don’t you mean Dr. Roxie?

FunWithNumbers

Bochy don’t bunt and Belt can’t hit

I believe everything I read on the Giants Extra!!

Bapah

It isn’t important Cloach, I just need to be ME.

Randy W

Foothills Ryan says:
April 22nd, 2013 at 2:43 pm

Some of you may have oodles of patience for Belt, including the venerable ClutchUp, but I’m not so sure SaBochy are totally on your side.

—

Crow time for Cryin Ryan

Nontechnical

No, I am just barely technical enough, and laughed at Bapah’s quip.

Also, “I was just telling the parakeet…”

dgg

I’m so happy for Belt! This was like a movie good-guy ending.

ClutchUp

Matthew@952…yes you did. After the double switch we knew it was Torres, Crawls Sac Bunt, BB9 hitting in the one hole=Bingo!

My avatar and my Belt prognosis haven’t wavered since he arrived. Four yr hitting project. Hope someday he gets to throw 3 innings of a 23 inning game vs the Mets (kidding)

Sounds like Seaguls in the background of Jon Miller, or was that the Oracles ex wife?

Mike Souza

Rand W,
Why does Ryan need to eat crow? I and others have said that he won’t be playing if he does not produce, not that he won’t produce. There is a difference. No need for crow…but need for a Henney and coke and a cuban.
Great job BB9. Keep it up kid.
GIANTS win!

ClutchUp

9 hole*

Foothills Ryan

Perfect ending to a great win !

The featured STAT of the night is WPA.

Win probability added

Buster Posey: .462

Brandon Belt: .317

WPA leaderboard:

Chris Davis: 1.56

Shin Soo Choo: 1.49

Justin Upton: 1.42

Joey Votto: 1.36

Adam Jones: 1:30

Buster Posey was second to Mike Trout in WPA last year.

Foothills Ryan

WPA for Posey and Belt are just for tonight’s contributions. The leaderboard was cumulative to date. From Fangraphs.

SurfCity

Had to follow most of the game on the internet tonight.

Then heard Posey’s home run while driving home.

Walked in the door just in time to see Torres on 2nd base and Belt at the plate.

Great game!

SurfCity

Romo gets the win.

Mike Souza

Told ya what would happen if Torres got on. Time to go get a lotto ticket huh? 😉

Sam

Just saw the replay of Belt’s at-bat. That was one fat hanging breaking ball over the middle of the plate.

ClutchUp

Players who do not produce continue to maybe get opportunities to play.

Players who “hit the ball hard” somewhere and who often are questioned by us fans often have no qualms from their peers or Skipper.

Posey said ” Belt is handling it well, letting the ball travel, as well as putting his work in diligently with extra hitting” Buster said Belt was a little quicl on the ball he pulled foul, and stepped out of the Batters box, gathered himself and let the next ball travel a little bit.

Buster said it better than anybody regarding Bob Belt.

South City Jim

Belt will be fine.

I think we saw what we all know…a 2 run lead in the late innings ain’t much when Pablo and Buster are due up…no matter who’s pitching.

ClutchUp

Sam: “Fat hanging pitch”

Still need to execute the swing bra. 😛

Randy W

Who has the cataracts now Foothill?

Sam

@” Belt”

Figured you would say that. Wasn’t hating. Just an observation about pitch location.

Why create a new handle to call out other posters? I call you a coward.

dgg

Belt wrote this today on his (and Crawford’s) blog:

“I know people make a big deal when you start the season slowly. They look up at the scoreboard and see your average is below .200 and kind of go a little nutty. But as a player you have to ignore the numbers. All you have control over is your current at-bat.”

Belt

Sam,

Belt does good? Quick to the video! Find anything you can to make it not so good!

Totally transparent Sam. Nice try though.

South City Jim

Giants did get lucky playing the Snakes now…just found out that Kubel is also on the DL along with Hill. That’s arguably two of their top four hitters.

ClutchUp

WPA? Womens Professional Association?

Doubtful that Wotus, Dunston, Flann, Rags or Boch even know about WPA. Baseball could be actually be played …. and stats could be kept on binder paper and pencil … and the game might even survive without the next new accronym-stat.

Loogy, Vorp, WPA…..WHIP….

YMMV…. but STATS need the game to be played in order to survive wheras the game could survive with the most minimal of stats … imo … YMMV…

Ought Oh, Lock down Siren. See ya!

Sam

@FresnoGrizzlies: Kieschnick extended his hitting streak to 11 games after going 2-for-4 with a triple and home run

Sam

Quick to the video? Not so much. It was 20 minutes after the game ended pal.

stickman

WOW. What A Win . Been battling the strongest headcold in years for the past 3 days (yesterday the worst) and conked out after the third with the game snagged at 2-2. Woke up and came back in here to find iMac was trying to make an application outta the coverage. Turned to the blog and that even loaded up weird and stayed that way. Finally, i caught the big news. Walkoff: BB9.

Restart and check out the Yahoo game coverage. How sweet it be. Ol Bruce played that double switch like the mound managing magician he happens to be and his boy in the spotlight MAYBE made believers outta some severious doubters ~ hardly all of em, lol.

Buster’s back! Locked and loaded for oso furioso. Dingers to dead center to tie the game don’t happen for every player in this post PED era. But Posey is used to setting new standards and breaking various records. Not a unique achievement, but what an athlete.

Snakes may be the Gigantes toughest pursuers. They are more of a TEAM than the not to be specifically mentioned nearly quarter million $ assemblage of parts. Miley is a tough young hurler. The southpaw they got going tomorrow is another nasty hombre. Vogelsong is not quite back to his norm, but he did tough out seven. Machi is looking good. Our BP. capped by Romo, tops what Arizona has to offer in that department.

Team confidence is maybe higher after tonight’s walk-off than at any other time this season. Go Giants!

ENGLANDRAIDER

Great to see Belt get the winning hit. He really needs to step it up.
I’ve been watching the Giants for years but this particular team really has something special going.

stickman

After posting it was a long backscroll through the mass of comments. It made me thirsty. It’s One A.M. here back in the Midwest, but what the hay, gonna cap the evening with a good ol Grain BELT Premium.

GSDubs

What’s this? First Timmy and now Belt. What a week. Knives put back in the drawer. The haters/pessimists give way to the apologists/optimists – for now. It’s still April and yet, so much of this drama already. Wondering how we’re going to make it through a full season of this side show.

locomotive breath

Great win for our team!

Hot damn! They are always looking for a way to win a ballgame and tonight they did it with the big fly by the MVP, and the regular first base man coming off the bench. These are 25 guys looking for a way to win it. Hot damn! I’m happy !!

The Oracle

I was busy at work and couldn’t catch the last few innings, but when I saw that Belt won it, I couldn’t wait to read the comments. They were about what I expected and pretty entertaining. Whatever happened to the MN’s comment that “Sam” was also Runnitt? Finally, Clutch wondered if he was hearing the sound of seagulls or my ex-wife at the end of the game. It must have been seagulls, because my ex sounds more like the dragons from Game of Thrones, or at least how the dragons will sound when they get a little older.

ClutchUp

The Oracle LOL. Glad you took my flip comment about “the ex” with good chuckles.

TMNews never apparently stated that Samuel was R-it from yrs gone by. One of their Techs in bold outed “somebody” claiming the IP identities were the same.

Meanwhile Samuel himself said he he did not wish to be associated with potty mouth RI.

However that leaves NOT R.I. and N.N. up for grabs. Last yrs and this yrs R.I. is as vulgar as before and as D-ranged as Sr-Gento, Teetee-Mac and IamTheIdiot of seasons gone by….

Doughnut

That was a great win. This team is really something.
ON a side note. I am getting to the point of concerned about our starting pitching. Vogelsong did only give up 4 runs which isn’t horrible. But he looked like he was laboring through parts of the game to me. Arizona is without Aaron Hill and Kubel and Bloomquist and Eaton. There are definitely some holes in there lineup to take advantage of it just seemed to be a tough go of it for Vogey.
To me it is all about the fastball for our starting pitching. When the fastball has good life on it our staff all pitch so much more effectively. I dont think its shocking to say that somebody will pitch better with a better fastball. But our guys are capable of throwing gems when the fastball is right. And i feel they are all mostly capable of it. I know Raghetti doesnt want them to throw too hard but i feel it might be critical to the success of the staff. I have noticed it with every pitcher except maybe Vogey.
When the fastball has some zip on it they spin a gem (even Zito).

Doughnut

I think the fastball is a major key for Timmy more than anybody. When his fastball has no life on it hitters can look for the breaking pitches and still cover the fastball. When his fastball is working like it was the last start hitters have to respect it. The question becomes can he control it. I guess we will find out but i believe if he throws the fastball around 91 92 he will be excellent. When it gets on them quick it becomes a huge weapon.
Bumgarner to me is the same way. When his fastball is humming he is dominant almost impossible with the slider/cutter and fastball.
For Cain i think he throws too many breaking balls. At least to me it seems most of his home runs come on sliders that hang. His fastball is a good one. I think he needs to throw it more. Too many of his breaking pitches have hang time and honestly they don’t usually get too many swing and misses. I think Buster sometimes tries to fool hitters when Cain is ahead in the count and it comes back to bite them when he hangs one. I think it makes sense but also pounding a hitters weakness with a fastball when ahead in the count has less risk. They may not strike out but it should work. The breaking pitches do serve a purpose to put into a hitters mind but i don’t believe they are nasty pitches that he relies on for Ks. His fastball is hard to square up.
These are all just opinions i have that were on my mind. I keep thinking to myself that they just need to add one tick or so on the fastball and they would have a lot more success. I could be wrong but just wanted to throw it out there. I know Rags preaches not throwing too hard but i think it would help. The staff is kind of going in a rough patch and i think they can turn it around.

For Vogey, i think it is all about control not his velocity. He needs to be able to locate it where he wants and so far he doesn’t look very comfortable doing that. He is not as crisp as he normally is.
All of Bumgarners not good outings in the past have been in my opinion when the fastball does not have the normal velocity. That is always the constant when he struggles. This year has been great so far and he has come out firing.